Violence at Elections: KKK and Gianforte

We’re a long way from voter intimidation perpetrated by the KKK and White League in the 1870s—but we’re moving in that direction.

First, there is the Trump fraud that voter rolls are padded with three million illegal voters. The immediate point is to undermine the popular vote that Clinton won. But the longer term goal is to suppress votes by blacks and Hispanics.

Now there is the violence piece. Greg Gianforte, as is now widely reported, thuggishly suggested earlier in the campaign that supporters outnumbered reporters. The clear implication was to intimidate reporters with mob violence. 

This follows a pattern established at Trump rallies of putting reporters in a cattle-type pen, a not-so-subtle visual cue aimed at equating the press with animals.

Today—against my objections— my wife tuned in Rush Limbaugh for a look-see. His first caller today waxed eloquent on his wish to donate to any and every candidate for office who physically assaults a reporter. Shame on WDWS for airing what sounded like an echo of Nazi exhortations to assault reporters.

Yes, we’re a long way from the KKK’s voter suppression tactics— but the following account from the Congressional Record in 1873 shows where we are headed. The author of this account is President U.S. Grant:

Prior to, and with a view to the late election in Louisiana, white men associated themselves together in armed bodies called  "White Leagues" and at the same time threats were made in the democratic journals of the State that the election should be carried against the republicans at all hazards very naturally greatly alarmed the colored voters. By section 8 of the act of February 28, 1871, it is made the duty of United States marshals and their deputies, at polls where votes are cast for Representatives in Congress, to keep the peace and prevent any violations of the so-called enforcement acts,…